277: You're the Boss: Own Your Strengths and Lead with Intention with Sabina Nawaz
Play the episode
277: You're the Boss: Own Your Strengths and Lead with Intention with Sabina Nawaz
When I first invited Sabina Nawaz to join me on the podcast, I was inspired—not just because she’s coached innovative executives or written for the Harvard Business Review—but because I knew her story would reveal something deeper about what it means to work from the inside out. What unfolded was an honest and illuminating conversation about her formative years, growing into leadership, and growing through risk.
Sabina began by taking me back to her childhood in Calcutta, where even as a young girl, people sought her out for advice. This early experience, combined with growing up in a home shaped by domestic violence, helped her to cultivate a remarkable ability to understand people. That emotional intelligence, honed through hardship, became a foundation for the work she does today. As she told me, pressure doesn’t have to define us; it can refine us.
What’s incredible is how Sabina chose to walk away from a high-powered role at Microsoft, where she had a “blank check” to lead and influence, to start something entirely on her own. She left not because she had to, but because she wanted to be more intentional with her time, especially as she was raising two young children. Her move wasn’t based on a mapped-out master plan, but on an experimental mindset: say yes, learn, refine. And it worked.
Throughout our conversation, Sabina offered brilliant, practical insight, like how getting promoted is often the riskiest time in a person’s career; and how pressure, not power, is what truly tests character. We discussed the “power gaps” that occur in leadership, the importance of transparency, and the value of reflection. She even introduced the idea of taking “blank space” each week to unplug and think, a powerful habit we could all use more of.
By the end of our chat, I was reminded why I love doing this podcast: stories like Sabina’s remind us that our greatest strengths often come from our most human experiences. Whether you’re managing teams, planning your next career move, or just trying to navigate work and life more meaningfully, Sabina’s story is a masterclass in clarity, courage, and connection. I hope you’ll listen and take a little blank space for yourself, too.
In this week’s Work From The Inside Out podcast, learn more about:
How Sabina’s early life shaped her leadership lens
Why getting promoted can be the riskiest moment in your career, and how to navigate the shift in how others perceive you as you take on more authority.
Why it’s pressure—not power—that can derail leaders, and how recognizing your emotional patterns under stress is key to leading with integrity.
The power of leaning into your strengths—and how Sabina used her gifts in communication, ideation, and connection to pivot from tech to leadership development.
Why embracing experimentation can transform your career, from saying “yes” to unexpected opportunities to launching a global coaching practice while seven months pregnant
Learn more about Sabina:
Read You're the Boss: Become the Manager You Want to Be (and Others Need)
Download free book guides
Visit: sabinanawaz.com
Follow: LinkedIn
Follow: Instagram
Interested in individual or group coaching with Tammy? Learn more about her coaching service.
Stay Connected:
Connect with Tammy on LinkedIn
Subscribe to newsletter
Affiliate Links: Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links above are “affiliate links”. This means that if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products and services I use personally and believe will add value to my listeners. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Follow the show:
About Tammy, host of
Work from the inside out
Prior to establishing her practice, Tammy held a variety of positions in mental health services, higher education administration, public policy analysis and fundraising. Her practical knowledge and experience in organizational development, program management and business operations builds a relatable relationship with clients striving for higher performance results.